Classics
‘nescire autem quid ante quam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum. quid enim est aetas hominis, nisi ea memoria rerum veterum cum superiorum aetate contexitur? ’
Cicero, Orations XXXIV
"Not knowing what happened before you were born is to be stuck in childhood forever. What does a person's life amount to without the historical consciousness that weaves one's life into the life of earlier generations?"
Classical subjects are available to all pupils at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in various forms, and it is the aim of all members of the Classics Department to encourage and stimulate pupils’ curiosity about ancient Greek and Roman language, culture and society. This is achieved both through the teaching of Latin and Greek languages and the study of Classical Civilisation.
The mental challenge of accessing the Greek and Latin languages and discovering the range and depth of meaning, skill and emotion in the authors’ texts is what attracts many to studying Classics. ‘To read the Latin and Greek authors in their original is a sublime luxury’ wrote Thomas Jefferson, but we would add that it provides a fundamental insight into the roots of our own language and culture.
The teaching of Latin is available to pupils in Sets 1 and 2 from the First to the Second Form and is an option for GCSE and A level. Pupils in the Third Form may choose to study Greek as a GCSE option if they have studied Latin before. Classical Civilisation is introduced as a new subject for GCSE and is also available as an option at A level.
We are always seeking new ways to provide pupils with the opportunity to learn more about the language, culture, literature and the arts of the Classical World; the importance of museum visits, visiting speakers, exhibitions and seminar groups cannot be underestimated and are readily available in the U.K. Pupils at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School are regularly offered opportunities to enrol on Classics trips to Classical ruins in the UK and Europe, to attend drama productions or talks from visiting speakers and to travel to University Classics departments for taster or lecture days.
The Classics Department achieves excellent examination results and we regularly see pupils depart the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School to pursue classical courses at universities including Oxford and Cambridge.
Teaching Staff
Miss L Davies-Evitt (Head of Classics and Higher Education Co-ordinator)
Miss P Foy (Teacher of Classics and Head of Fifth Form)
Miss E Georgiakakis (Teacher of Classics)
Latin
Key Stage 3
Latin is taught to pupils in Sets 1 and 2 from the First to the Second Form (Years 7-8). The Cambridge Latin Course is followed. In these years, pupils learn a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, developing their translation, logical and analytical skills. They also gain an appreciation of aspects of ancient Roman life and culture.
Key Stage 4 - GCSE
Course code: J282
The OCR syllabus is followed for GCSE Latin. The course is designed to teach pupils about both the language and the literature of the ancient Romans. The language component of the course is studied intensively throughout the Third and Fourth Form (Years 9 and 10). The Latin to GCSE Books 1 and 2 courses are followed. The Literature components are studied during the Fourth and Fifth Form (Years 10 and 11), as well as continuing with revision of language work.
50% of the course covers Latin unseen translations, whereby pupils are required to provide translations of short passages from Latin into English, as well as answer comprehension questions. A vocabulary list and summary of grammatical structures is provided for the pupils.
25% of the course is dedicated to the study of Verse Literature. Pupils are required to answer comprehension questions and provide short translations based on Latin passages written by authors studied during the course. These passages are typically set on passages from Virgil’s Aeneid.
25% of the course covers Prose Literature. In this paper, pupils are required to answer a series of comprehension questions and provide short translations based on the work ofspecified prose authors including Cicero, Caesar and Tacitus.
More information can be found here.
Key Stage 5 – A Level
Course code: H443
The A2 course is available for all pupils who have achieved GCSE grades 9-6 in Latin GCSE.
33% Unseen Translation (01) (1 hour 45 minutes examination). Translation of one unseen passage of Latin prose and one unseen passage of Latin verse (from Ovid).
17% Prose Composition or Comprehension (02) (1 hour 15 minutes examination). Either translation of an English paragraph into Latin or comprehension questions based on an unseen passage from Pliny’ Letters. 17% of the total A Level marks
25% Prose Literature (03) (2 hours examination). Two comprehension questions and one extended response will be set, based on passages from the text studied from either Cicero, Tacitus or Seneca.
25% Verse Literature (04) (2 hours examination). Two comprehension questions and one extended response will be set, based on passages from the texts studied from either Virgil or Ovid.
More information can be found here.
Classical Greek
Key Stage 4 – GCSE
Course code: J292
Pupils in the Third Form may choose to study Greek as a GCSE option if they have studied Latin before. The OCR syllabus is followed for GCSE Greek. The course is designed to teach pupils about both the language and the literature of the ancient Greeks. The language component of the course is studied intensively throughout the Third and Fourth Form (Years 9 and 10). The Greek to GCSE Books 1 and 2 courses are followed. The Literature components are studied during the Fourth and Fifth Form (Years 10 and 11), as well as continuing with revision of language work.
50% of the course covers Greek unseen translations, whereby pupils are required to provide translations of short passages from Greek into English, as well as answer comprehension questions. A vocabulary list and summary of grammatical structures is provided for the pupils.
25% of the course is dedicated to the study of Verse Literature. Pupils are required to answer comprehension questions and provide short translations based on Greek passages written by authors studied during the course. These passages are typically set on passages from Homer’s Odyssey or Iliad.
25% of the course covers Prose Literature. In this paper, pupils are required to answer a series of comprehension questions and provide short translations based on the work of specified prose authors including Herodotus and Lucian and Plato.
More information can be found here.
Classical Civilisation
Key Stage 4 – GCSE
Course code: J199
The GCSE course is open to all pupils who have an interest in the Classical world and opt to study it as a GCSE subject. It provides students with a broad, coherent and rewarding study of the culture of the classical world. They study elements of the literature and visual/material culture of Greece and Rome and develop an understanding of their social, historical and cultural contexts.
50% Myth and Religion (1 hour 30 minute examination). Mythology of the ancient world forms a central part of this thematic component. Learners will study myths regarding the role of the gods and heroes in the founding of Athens and Rome and the importance of Heracles/Hercules to both the Greek and Roman world. Learners will also look at the role of religion in the everyday lives of ancient Greeks and Romans. The study of temples, sacrifice, festivals, death and beliefs in the afterlife will give a broad overview of religion in the ancient world, and provides opportunity for the study of a wide variety of material remains, including remarkable temples and works of art.
50% War and Warfare (1 hour 30 minute examination) This component covers both Greek and Roman civilisation, focusing on Athens and Sparta in the 5th century BC, and on Rome in the Imperial period. In the ‘Culture’ section the military systems and tactics of each society will be studied, as will the interplay between war, politics and society. Learners will also study key battles, not only what happened, but why, and how this impacted on the societies involved. The way in which warfare is viewed and the cultural impact of conflicts, including the human cost of war, make this component a moving area of study for learners which has clear relevance to the modern world.
More information can be found here.
Key Stage 5 – A Level
Course code: H408
The A2 course is available for all pupils who have achieved GCSE grades 9-6 in English Literature and Language GCSE. Previous knowledge of the Classical World, either through Latin or Classical Civilisation courses is not necessary and of no particular advantage.
40% The World of the Hero (2 hour 20 minutes examination). We will read Homer’s Odyssey in translation in Year 12. This is the epic story of the Greek hero Odysseus’ return home from the Trojan War. As the father of western literature, we will examine what Homer’s definition of epic is, and the ancient society and values it represents. We will read Virgil’s Aeneid in translation in Year 13. We will examine the concept of the hero as defined through the both writers’ works and literary techniques. We will also explore the relationship between Greek and Roman Epic.
30% Culture and the Arts (1 hour 45 minutes examination). We will read study the importance of Greek theatre including its religious context, structure and performances. We will study three Greek dramas. The tragic plays will be Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Euripides’ Bacchae. The comedies will be Aristophanes’ Frogs. These plays will be studied as works of literature and social documents, revealing to us historical, philosophical and religious aspects of the societies in which they are based. We will also take full advantage of opportunities to see these plays produced.
30% Beliefs and Ideas (1 hour 45 minutes examination). We will study a range of ideas around Love and Relationships which are key aspects of the literature, thoughts, and ethics of any society. This component offers the opportunity for learners to recognise and relate to the passions, frustrations and delights of love in the ancient world. We will examine ancient ideas about men, women and marriage and discuss the reality of love and relationships in everyday life whilst studying the works of Seneca and Plato. We will also study the poetry of Sappho and Ovid and consider the purpose and intended audience of their poetry whilst also exploring the social and poetic context of their work.
More information can be found here.
Pathways to post 16 & 18 study, skills, employment and careers
Post 16 and 18 study: Pupils who study Latin and Greek at GCSE often go on to study an ancient or modern language at A Level. Other courses which often follow a GCSE in a Classical subject are Classical Civilisation, English, Philosophy and History at A Level.
Classics Departments in British universities offer a wide range of courses, some involving special study of archaeology, architecture, ancient history or linguistics, others combining an ancient language with a large variety of other subjects.
Employment and Careers: Students with Classics based degrees gain skills which are attractive to employers from many sectors such as advertising, accountancy, business management, the Civil service, finance, law, consultancy, media and publishing.